Palestine, Oh Palestine
Here are the questions I am looking at today –
(1) What about the possibility, as some in Israel are urging, of re-entering Gaza? (I note that one of the Israeli English-language papers yesterday said that wouldn’t happen, even if Hamas did take control in Gaza, if Hamas does not shoot at — or allow shooting of rockets at — Israel. I also note the Israeli statements that they have no interest in going into Gaza now — I understand that it would not only be costly for them on several counts, and that their soldiers would be directly at risk, etc. But, I ask myself, why should they bother, as this does not seem to be in their interest?)
(2) What about the calls in Israel to cut off electricity to Gaza, if not water — especially if the only reason is that Hamas has taken over, without waiting to see if Hamas might or might not actually be able to exercise some effective governmental-type authority in Gaza, and restore order and some modicum of security there?
(2a) What will happen if Mahmoud Abbas asks Israel to cut off electricity to Gaza? Or, what if he tells Israel that he no longer authorizes the release of frozen Palestinian funds — now being held by the Israeli Ministry of Finance — to pay Gaza’s current electricity bills?
(3) The Palestinians I have spoken to in recent weeks say that both Fatah and Hamas are to blame for this situation, which they all regard as a deeply embarassing shame, and that the big losers are the Palestinian people.However, these Palestinians also say that the blame goes first of all to Fatah, and they believe that Fatah should have made efforts right away, starting in January 2006, to establish cooperation with Hamas, instead of undermining them in every way possible, out of chagrin at having lost the vote. They also regard with great unhappiness and great distrust the US proposition to support and arm Fatah.
(4) Confirmation is coming in that Israel did, indeed, permit a number of Fatah officers and officials to evacuate Gaza by se to Egypt — and Gaza’s maritime space is completely secured by Israel. This is really disgraceful all around. And it reminds me of 1982, when the late Yasser Arafat had to evacuate Beirut by sea, under the UN flag…
Filed under: Palestine & Palestinians, Quartet
The blame is squarely on the PALESTINIAN population that voted for Hamas. Arabs in general, Palestinians in particular need to learn that they will not get what they want (whatever it is) through violence, and radical elements.
The choice between a corrupt and efficient party (Fatah) and bunch of radical nut cases who believe in Magic (God) running around shouting God is great is also a self-inflicted situation.
Israel should cut off water and electricity — if God is so great (Allahu Akbar) let me make clean water from the sea.
Palestinians need some negative reinforcement — to really drive home that the general population brought this about by voting into office a terrorist organization.
IIt was the Palestinians who thought the world would accept dealing with Hamas.